Fall 2025 Newsletter

Jump to: Letter from the chair | Faculty highlight | Staff highlights | Awards/scholarship highlights | Events recap | Course recommendations | Summer courses | Stay connected

As campus comes alive for a new academic year, we are excited to share the fall 2025 edition of the Economics Department’s newsletter. While the past year brought challenges and opportunities alike, it has been inspiring to see the resilience, growth, and accomplishments across our community. This issue highlights the achievements of our students, faculty, staff, and alumni, and showcases the many ways our department continues to thrive. Whether you are joining us for the first time or returning to continue your academic journey, we are grateful to have you as part of the economics community. We look forward to supporting you through another engaging and impactful year ahead.

– Your Fall 2025 Peer Advisers

Letter from Department Chair, Jon Robinson

Dear Economics Community,

This is a tumultuous time in higher education, both with the major policy changes from Washington, D.C. that have severely affected federal research funding and with the budget challenges UC Santa Cruz is facing specifically. Polls show that Americans are losing faith in higher education.

While this is all alarming to those of us working and studying in universities, I also hope that this can be a time for colleges and universities to refocus on what it is that we do well, and make more of an effort to rearticulate this to the public.

The UC Santa Cruz Economics Department does many things well. First and foremost, economics teaches important mathematical and analytical tools that pay off in the job market. In fact, a clever 2022 paper published in the American Economic Journal: Applied Economics by Zachary Bleemer and Aashish Mehta showed that studying economics/business economics increased early-career earnings by 46%. Majoring in economics continues to be a great investment here at UC Santa Cruz.

Another benefit of attending a strong university is developing critical thinking and problem solving skills. In a world of fake news, medical disinformation, and financial scams, such skills will be increasingly important. Beyond the individual, these skills are necessary to create an informed citizenry, in this era in which so many policies are changing and where trust in experts and in institutions has eroded. As a department, we take great pride in doing our part to produce a new generation of critical thinkers, which seems more important now than ever. 

Our department is also a great place for interacting with people from a diverse set of viewpoints and backgrounds. Department faculty come from all over the world and study a wide range of topics using different cutting-edge methodologies, and provide high-level instructional and research opportunities for students. Our students come from across the state and country, and even the world (especially at the graduate level). By being exposed to such a mix of people, we hope that our department helps to broaden students’ experiences and worldview, and allows them to be exposed to ideas and people that they might not otherwise. Much of the research at this department is about estimating and quantifying the real-life effects of policies, and we hope that this provides students with a better perspective on the true costs and benefits of various policies, and on the value of rigorous scientific inquiry to inform public policy. 

We thank you for your support of our department! – Jon Robinson

Faculty Highlight

We are pleased to announce that Professor Galina Hale has been appointed as the incoming faculty director of the Institute for Social Transformation at UC Santa Cruz. Professor Hale’s appointment marks an exciting new chapter for the institute as she steps into a leadership role following the impactful tenure of Professor Chris Benner, who has been instrumental in shaping the institute’s long-term vision. We congratulate her on this well-deserved recognition and are excited for what the future holds under her leadership!

Staff Highlights 

We would love to extend a warm welcome to the new staff we have in the department. 

Richard Bibbs joined the department as an undergraduate adviser and web manager in September 2025. Richard is already a seasoned veteran of UC Santa Cruz, with a wealth of experience as both an undergraduate and graduate student. He entered the university as an undergraduate transfer student majoring in linguistics in 2015, and then eventually earned his Ph.D. in linguistics in August 2025. Richard is excited to experience another role at UC Santa Cruz while continuing to assist students with their own journey through higher education. Outside of work, Richard loves playing games in all forms, but has a particular love of board and card games.

Harpreet Lally joined the department as an economics undergraduate adviser in September 2025. She was a first-generation transfer student at University of California, Los Angeles, where she earned her B.A. in both history and education and social transformation. After graduating, she worked at a high school in the Bay Area as a college adviser, supporting students predominantly from underrepresented backgrounds in preparing for and applying to college. She recently worked at UC Los Angeles as an adviser to student organizations and a program coordinator at the Center for International Students before graduating with her master’s degree in student affairs. She feels super lucky to have landed here in Santa Cruz, where she is able to do work she is passionate about and pursue her love of the outdoors. 

Marina Otte joined the department as the senior graduate programs coordinator in fall 2025. Marina earned her bachelor’s degree from UC Santa Cruz in 2016 and went on to earn her MFA from the University of San Francisco while teaching social science in a high school in Mountain View before moving into administration. She is thrilled to be part of a department whose t-shirt reads: “the science of decision making” and can’t believe she is back on this beautiful campus. In her spare time, you can find her riding her mountain bike, climbing the walls at Pacific Edge, reading magical realism, and planting yet another tree in her yard. 

Jade Weltchek joined the Economics Department as the academic assistant in August of this year. She comes to us from UC Santa Cruz’s Staff Human Resources department, where she worked as an administrative specialist for the Business Operations and Administration Unit. Before her time at UC Santa Cruz, Jade gained extensive hands-on experience building her family’s business in an operations management role. This role equipped her with a strong foundation in problem-solving and adaptability. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time outdoors hiking or biking, when she is inside she enjoys sewing and baking.  

Student Highlights

Piyush Gandhi Wins People’s Choice at 2025 UC Santa Cruz Grad Slam
Congratulations to Piyush Gandhi, a fourth-year Ph.D. student in economics, for winning the People’s Choice Award at the 2025 UC Santa Cruz Grad Slam! His presentation, titled “Extinguishing the Blaze: Reducing Air Pollution in India,” captivated the audience and earned him a $750 prize. Piyush’s research focuses on the tangible impacts of cleaner air, reduced pollution, lower healthcare costs, and improved livelihoods, particularly through fieldwork in rural India. His engaging communication of complex economic and environmental issues exemplifies the interdisciplinary spirit of our department. We are proud of Piyush’s achievement and look forward to his continued contributions to the field.

Building Belonging Fellows Showcase Research Excellence
The Institute for Social Transformation’s Building Belonging program is designed to foster student success, increase engagement, and build a greater sense of belonging for under-represented undergraduate students through faculty-mentored service-learning and research projects. Our students who participated and gave their presentations on May 14 were Kerry Chen, economics/mathematics combined major and Shurod Tunamal, business management economics. Their faculty mentor was Associate Professor Grace Weishi Steadmon and their project title was, “Banks and Their Climate Engagement”. Ella Ripley-Rodriguez, economics; Molly Jenkins, economics and applied mathematics; and Sophie Walsh, environmental studies/economics combined major with a minor in film and digital media, presented “Let Them Eat Big Macs, Crunchwraps, and Whoppers: The Local Impact of California’s $20 Fast Food Minimum Wage in Santa Cruz.”, under the guidance of faculty mentor Steve Owen. These interdisciplinary projects exemplify the program’s commitment to fostering student success and building a greater sense of belonging through faculty-mentored service-learning and research initiatives.

UCR M.S. in Statistics
Isaac Robles, a spring 2025 graduate in our undergraduate program in economics, has accepted an offer of admission to UC Riverside’s M.S. program in statistics. “I’m super excited for both completing a huge milestone in graduating in spring and starting the next chapter in my life at UC Riverside. During my time at UC Santa Cruz I developed a huge interest in econometrics. The use of statistical methods and clever framing to evaluate policies completely fascinated me, so much so that after winter quarter 2025 I decided I wanted to learn more. I chose UC Riverside because of its proximity to home and their course offerings. I am super excited to dive even deeper into statistics and its applications, as I hope to one day be a data scientist or analyst, or maybe even help governments evaluate policies. I want to especially thank Professors Martinez-Iriarte, Giuliano, and Dobkin for all their help during my application process, I would not have been able to do this without them”.

Transforming Future Interns, Summer 2025
Pio Perez, business management economics major and sustainability minor, participated at the University of Southern California Equity Research Institute in Los Angeles as a research intern.  The Institute for Social Transformation is excited to offer an internship scholarship program called Transforming Futures. The goal of the program is to open up opportunities and remove financial barriers for first-generation and low-income students at UC Santa Cruz so they can participate in career-advancing summer internships off campus. Click here to learn more about the Transforming Futures program and read student testimonials.

2024-2025 Awards

We are pleased to recognize the hardworking economics students at the graduate and undergraduate levels who earned awards for their academic and teaching achievements. These awards are made possible by the generosity of many donors, and bring effusive joy to the recipients! We are grateful for their philanthropy and support of economics at UC Santa Cruz! (If you are feeling inspired, you can make a donation. The donation link can be found here : https://socialsciences.ucsc.edu/alumni-giving/support-us/?_academic_and_research_units=economics#funds. For more information on the department, please visit this link  https://economics.ucsc.edu/about/about-us/. 

Graduate Student Awards

Milam-McGinty-Kaun Award for Teaching Excellence – Monica Shandal

Economics Teaching Assistant Awards

Undergraduate Student Awards

Economics Department Award in Business Management Economics

Economics Department Award in Economics

Global Economics Scholarship

Robert J. Shepherd Economics Accounting Path Scholarship

Events Recap from Our Peer Advisers

M.S. in Quantitative Economics and Finance Info Session 4+1 Pathway
The Economics Department recently held an info session about the master’s program in quantitative economics and finance (M.S. QEF), where they introduced an exciting new 4+1 pathway for UC Santa Cruz undergraduates. This pathway is designed to make the transition into the program a lot smoother. Basically, students would apply during their junior year using a more straightforward application that only requires one recommendation letter instead of the usual three. Then, during senior year, they’d submit an updated application, and since a lot of their information was already gathered the previous year, it’s going to be a lot easier.

They also shared some important admission details: the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) isn’t required anymore, which is a huge relief, but submitting it could give your application a little boost. Plus, to be eligible, students need at least a 3.0 major grade point average (GPA). On the financial side, there’s merit-based aid available ranging from $1,000 to $6,000, and although TA positions are on the table, they can’t guarantee one for every student.

The faculty highlighted the fast-paced, rigorous curriculum that spans one year and is STEM-designated. It combines advanced classes in microeconomics, macroeconomics, finance, and econometrics with hands-on experience using real-world data and statistical software. Students also get to attend weekly industry seminars, access strong alumni networks, and choose from a variety of electives—like machine learning, financial engineering, and corporate finance—so they can really customize their experience.

With graduates landing jobs at companies like Bloomberg, Deloitte, Google, Amazon, Citi, and other big finance firms, the M.S. QEF program is definitely a solid option for anyone interested in careers in finance, consulting, data science, or applied economic research. 

– Meg Tirunagaru

Fall Quarterly Faculty & Undergraduate Colloquium
This fall, the Economics Department held a faculty & undergraduate colloquium that featured a laid-back panel discussion with Professors Hikaru Saijo and Chenyue Hu, where students got to ask questions prepared by our peer advisers and student participants. The main focus was on how undergraduates can dive into research, gear up for graduate school, and really shine in internships and early-career roles.

Students were curious about how the professors found their research passions, what really makes a graduate school application stand out, and how to juggle GPA, in-depth coursework, and hands-on experiences such as research, internships, and clubs. Both professors highlighted that the most competitive students are the ones who develop practical technical skills–like coding in Stata, R, and Python–as well as solid econometrics and theory. They also stressed the importance of seeking out mentorship by visiting office hours, helping with research projects, and treating research assistant (RA) work as a valuable learning opportunity rather than just a resume builder.

For those who aren’t sure about going to graduate school, they encouraged using research and coding experiences to open doors in policy, consulting, and industry jobs. They emphasized looking at UC Santa Cruz as a place to try things out, make mistakes, and gradually figure out which economic questions really matter to you. 

– Meg Tirunagaru

Graduate School & Professional School Fair
In late October, the Career Success Office hosted the Graduate School & Professional School Fair featuring over 60 programs from across the country, which afforded students the opportunity to gain insight and information about graduate and professional school programs. Representatives from STEM,  business, social science, health, and law programs, among others, welcomed attendees’ questions and inquiries from their respective tables. This included our very own Economics Department graduate program who offered information about our 4+1 Master’s of Quantitative Economics and Finance degree. Another meaningful takeaway from my experience was learning about University of Southern California (USC) Viterbi School of Engineering’s Computer Science – Scientists and Engineers M.S. degree, targeted towards students with engineering or science degrees with lesser computer science backgrounds. Considering I am pursuing a computer science minor, the graduate admissions officer was very helpful in catering towards my specific interests. These considerate interactions were reflective of the fair’s purpose to serve prospective students, to which they fulfilled admirably. 

– Daniel Beckley
  

Climate Action Now Panel Discussion: The Role of Corporations in Adapting to or Avoiding a 3-Degree World
On November 18th, UC Santa Cruz Climate Action Now (CAN) and Earth Futures Institute hosted a virtual panel discussion, inviting those interested in learning more about the role of corporations on climate change. The panel featured speakers from economics and finance backgrounds: Lily Hsueh, Arizona State University, associate professor of economics and public policy; Galina Hale, professor of economics; Will Wiseman, CEO & co-founder at Climatize; Chris Benner, UC Santa Cruz chair in global information and social entrepreneurship; and Dan Friedman, professor emeritus of economics as moderator. The panelists shared their knowledge on identifying corporate greenwashing, and possible solutions for financing a climate change transformation such as crowdfunding solar projects. The information provided a critical yet hopeful insight into a new future of climate activism, where individuals feel more empowered to take action as they become more aware of the responsibility corporations must take on the rapidly warming climate.

– Ngan Nguyen

Power of Mentorship: Transforming Careers and Communities
As part of the Cultivating Community Connections Group Coaching series, this session focused on how mentorship through peers, faculty, and staff, can support students’ personal growth, career direction, and personal sense of community, building on earlier sessions that they had like Building Supportive Connections (October 22) and Abriendo Caminos & Confidence in Networking. Students were encouraged to take immediate, practical steps such as name the kind of support they need, reach out to people with a clear ask, and follow up to turn a single conversation into a lasting connection. To keep this momentum going, students are encouraged to explore UC Santa Cruz’s Slug Mentor Network (peer-to-peer matching) and Career Success coaching or drop-in peer coach support. 

– Kayson Tang

Marketing Yourself In The Arts Industry Workshop
On December 3rd, Career Success hosted a workshop called, “Marketing Yourself In The Arts Industry,” for all students who are interested in gaining more professional roles in the arts industry. With the charismatic lead of the career engagement specialist, Holly Hoeksema, the workshop guided students through the process of identifying and incorporating their range of skills into their portfolio. There were multiple activities throughout the workshop that challenged students to apply the information they just learned and shared with their peers. Although the workshop offered career coaching specifically for arts major students or those who were looking to work in related fields, it was still a valuable presentation for students of other majors. The layout of building your resume and marketing yourself through networking is relatable for all job searches of different industries. 

– Ngan Nguyen

Course Recommendations

Economics 22P, Introduction to Python for Data Science

“I highly recommend enrolling in ECON 22P. In the past, I’ve struggled a lot with coding, primarily because I was instructed to copy and paste code but I didn’t understand what it meant. After taking ECON 22P with Professor Michael Leung, I fundamentally understand Python and how it’s applicable to other languages such as R, SPSS, Stata, etc. This class has helped me learn to code more naturally and I have come to enjoy working with Python!” 

– Jennifer Sotelo Peréz, economics major

Economics 182, Unemployment

“I highly recommend ECON 182 for several reasons. First, Professor Pascal Michaillat is truly passionate about the subject and makes the material engaging. Second, this has been the class that best prepared me for future coursework (like ECON 113, ECON 104, or ECON 197), as it focuses heavily on data analysis using Stata and presenting your findings. Throughout the quarter, you’ll research a topic of your choice and build a project around it. If you’re looking for a hands-on class that builds real analytical and research skills, this is the one to take.” 

– Gaspard Avat, global economics major

Economics 133, Security Markets and Financial Institutions

“I definitely suggest you sign up for ECON 133. If you’ve ever been puzzled about how the stock market operates, the ins and outs of investing, or what financial institutions really do, this class truly clarifies everything. Before I took ECON 133, I had just a basic grasp of markets. Now, I get the core principles of investing, how different markets function, and the role of various financial instruments like stocks, bonds, and futures in the economy. A lot of students often have to choose between ECON 104 and ECON 133, but I really think you should go for ECON 133–especially if you want practical knowledge that you can apply in your life. This class has boosted my confidence in understanding financial concepts and has ignited my interest in investing and the entire market scene.” 

– Meg Tirunagaru, business management economics major

Summer 2026 Course Offerings

Thinking about catching up, getting ahead, or retaking a class? The Economics Department is pleased to announce its 2026 summer economics course offerings. These in person or online offerings can help you complete your prerequisites and major requirements. The following courses are being offered:

10 Week Session (June 22 – August 28)

ECON 100A-01: Intermediate Microeconomics{GE:PE-H} [Online]

Summer Session 1 (June 22 – July 24)

ECON 1-01: Introductory Microeconomics {GE:PE-H} [Online]

ECON 2-01: Introductory Macroeconomics {GE:PE-H} [Online]

ECON 10A: Economics of Accounting I [Online]

ECON 20: Economics for Non-Majors {GE:PE-H} [Online]

ECON 100A-02: Intermediate Microeconomics{GE:PE-H} [Online]

ECON 100B-01: Intermediate Macroeconomics [Online]

ECON 101: Managerial Economics [Online]

ECON 113-01: Introduction to Econometrics {GE:SR} [Online]

ECON 125: Economic History of the U.S. [In Person]

ECON 161A: Marketing [Online]

ECON 197-01: Economic Rhetoric {DC} [Online]

Summer Session 2 (July 27 – August 28)

ECON 1-02: Introductory Microeconomics {GE:PE-H} [Online]

ECON 2-02: Introductory Macroeconomics {GE:PE-H} [Online]

ECON 10B: Economics of Accounting II [Online]

ECON 100A-02: Intermediate Microeconomics{GE:PE-H} [Online]

ECON 100B-02: Intermediate Macroeconomics [Online]

ECON 113-02: Introduction to Econometrics {GE:SR} [Online]

ECON 133: Security Markets and Financial Institutions [Online]

ECON 149: Economics of East and Southeast Asia [In Person]

ECON 197-02: Economic Rhetoric {DC} [Online]

For more information, please visit summer.ucsc.edu.

Stay Connected

Undergraduate students, please join our LinkedIn Group: UC Santa Cruz Economics.

Master’s students, please join our LinkedIn Group: UC Santa Cruz M.S. in Quantitative Economics and Finance.

Doctorate students, please join our LinkedIn Group: UC Santa Cruz Economics Ph.D. Program.

Visit our Economics Department Calendar for upcoming events.

List of classes for winter quarter.